Access To Space Research Articles

Strategy of user-driven re-design for inclusivity: Schuster Park in Rome

The paper presents the results of a research carried out by the Department of Architecture of Roma Tre University about user-driven re-design of public spaces, with the aim of transforming them into accessible and inclusive public spaces. Activities are related to the case of Schuster Park in Rome, whose re-functionalisation in terms of accessibility and inclusiveness is currently being planned. With this target, the research team, during the support phase for a preliminary feasibility study, experimented with a recursive participatory model, which can also be applied to other contexts related to public spaces.

Socio-economic gradients in urban green space access and respiratory health

Abstract Background This study investigates social disparities as one of the drivers influencing the access to green spaces and exposure to natural environments, potentially exacerbating disparities in respiratory health in children. Methods Longitudinal ELSPAC birth cohort study data included 4384 complete case participants born in cities of Brno and Znojmo, examined throughout the years 1990-2010. Estimates on socio-economic status (SES) scores of children’s parents and their education were used as socio-economical predictors. Tree cover density (TCD) calculated as mean canopy closure percentage in the individual walking distance neighbourhoods and the ownership and accessibility of a garden were used as indicators of green space accessibility. Multiple logistic regression models were employed to estimate odds ratios for predictors of respiratory health outcomes, controlling for several confounders. Results Parents’ SES was found to be positively associated with neighbourhood TCD, and this effect was even more pronounced for garden owners. Higher tree cover was then significantly negatively associated with development of acute bronchitis (OR 0.88, CI 95 % 0.84-0.94 for 1 SD of tree cover), while not having a garden (OR 1.81, CI 95 % 1.42-2.33) and living in area with lower tree cover (OR continuously decreasing from 1.88 to 1.68 for lowest and highest quartile respectively) was significantly associated with progression of acute bronchitis into chronic bronchitis in a fully adjusted model. Vice versa, higher tree cover was statistically significantly positively associated with development of allergic rhinitis (OR 1.09, CI 95 % 1.03-1.15), suggesting viability of the novel method of estimation of individual neighbourhood greenness. Conclusions The results suggest protective effect of access to urban green spaces against adverse respiratory outcomes in children. The socially uneven distribution of access emphasizes the importance of urban policies in promoting urban health. #NGEU Key messages • There is a significant protective effect of access to green spaces against respiratory diseases and their progression. • There’s an unequal, but varied distribution of access to green spaces, and social gradient in health, highlighting the importance of urban green space distributive politics.

Investigating effect chains from cognitive and noise-induced short-term stress build-up to restoration in an urban or nature setting using 360° VR

Population growth and increasing urbanization leads to growing exposure to traffic noise and a decline in accessible green spaces that could promote restoration from noise-induced stress. The objective of this virtual reality laboratory study was to investigate the effect chains of noise and cognitive demand on the build-up of short-term stress, and subsequent restoration in either a natural green or urban built quiet space. Participants were first exposed to road traffic noise of different sound pressure levels (LAeq of 35, 55, or 75 dB), being randomly assigned to passive listening (low cognitive demand) or concurrently performing cognitively demanding tasks (high demand). The stress phase revealed higher levels of perceived stress as well as tonic skin conductance for the high demand over the low demand group, independent of noise exposure. Increasing noise exposure was associated with elevated noise annoyance ratings and lower self-assessed wellbeing. In the subsequent restoration phase, all measures of perceived restoration indicated a clear advantage for green over non-green spaces. Further, participants from the high-demand group who were immersed in the green restorative space displayed significantly lower skin conductance levels than those in the urban built spaces. The findings suggest that exposure to natural green spaces is beneficial for psychological as well as physiological restoration from short-term stress induced by noise and cognitive demand. Our study underlines the important beneficial role of urban green spaces, particularly in densely populated, noisy urban environments.

Digitally accessible space: Discovery of the distinctive locational characteristics of restaurants with online reservation

The widespread adoption of ICT including mobile apps and their online services has significantly reshaped human activities in urban spaces. The complex interaction between ICT on urban space presents challenges in understanding their relationships. This study aims to discover the empirical evidence of the spatial variance of urban space linked to ICT. To pursue this objective, this study defines spaces that leverage ICT-based activities as Digitally Accessible Spaces (DAS), and choose restaurants that provide online reservation services through NAVER, which is the most dominant search engine in South Korea. Based on fundamental measurements in location theory, we stratified the entire area in Seoul into four groups in order of profitability. Using the location quotient (LQ), we quantified the locational characteristics of DAS compared to overall restaurants. Consequently, three measurements, which are density of marketplace, distance from public transit, and proper land use, indicate that the second-tier profitable areas commonly possess the largest portion of DAS. These characteristics provided empirical evidence supporting previous studies highlighting the liberation effect and altered travel behavior resulting from ICT-based activity through qualitative and theoretical approaches. We expect that this study can contribute to further research related to the interaction between digital space and physical space.

Numerical methods for scalar field dark energy in tabletop experiments and Lunar Laser Ranging

Numerous tabletop experiments have been dedicated to exploring the manifestations of screened scalar field dark energy, such as symmetron or chameleon fields. Precise theoretical predictions require simulating field configurations within the respective experiments. This paper focuses onto the less-explored environment-dependent dilaton field, which emerges in the strong coupling limit of string theory. Due to its exponential self-coupling, this field can exhibit significantly steeper slopes compared to symmetron and chameleon fields, and the equations of motion can be challenging to solve with standard machine precision. We present the first exact solution for the geometry of a vacuum region between two infinitely extended parallel plates. This solution serves as a benchmark for testing the accuracy of numerical solvers. By reparametrizing the model and transforming the equations of motion, we show how to make the model computable across the entire experimentally accessible parameter space. To simulate the dilaton field in one- and two-mirror geometries, as well as spherical configurations, we introduce a non-uniform finite difference method. Additionally, we provide an algorithm for solving the stationary Schrödinger equation for a fermion in one dimension in the presence of a dilaton field. The algorithms developed here are not limited to the dilaton field, but can be applied to similar scalar-tensor theories as well. We demonstrate such applications at hand of the chameleon and symmetron field. Our computational tools have practical applications in a variety of experimental contexts, including gravity resonance spectroscopy (q Bounce), Lunar Laser Ranging (LLR), and the upcoming Casimir and Non-Newtonian Force Experiment (cannex). A Mathematica implementation of all algorithms is provided.

A Multidisciplinary Prospective Audit of Practices of Providing Hydration to Patient in An Acute Care Setting. Stop, Think and Drink

Abstract Background In the Dementia Friendly Hospital Guidelines 2018, it recommends we support patient safety, health and well-being. This can be facilitated by supporting diet, nutrition and hydration in a calm, accessible and usable space with appropriate lighting, and clearly visible and easily understood furniture and tableware. We have audited our practices across the hospital to ensure we have practices that promote hydration in all our wards. As we are an MDT team we bring a unique broad perspective on the issue of availability, accessibility and assistance. Methods We prospectively audited the provision and accessibility of drinks of any kind across our hospital. This was carried out on two separate occasions, once in the morning and once in the afternoon. We developed a unique audit tool. We used the HIQA nutrition and hydration standards to develop this tool. This was carried out on two separate occasions, once in the morning and once in the afternoon. Results Total number audited - 131 Availability Accessibility Assistance - 38% required prompting/reminding to drink. Conclusion Almost all of our patients in St. Michael’s Hospital had a drink and water jug available, however not all patients were able to access or independently hydrate themselves. Through making improvements, we aim to improve the hydration for our patients. According to the Food, Nutrition and Hydration policy for adults in acute hospital, by improving patient hydration, we are supporting the reduction of malnutrition amongst our patient cohort, in turn reducing their susceptibility to disease and improving their rate of recovery.

Conviviality in urban neighborhoods: an experience of social interactions in urban space

ABSTRACT Urban spaces should serve as collective arenas that facilitate social and human interactions, which are fundamental to human life. This study explores space conviviality in a neighbourhood marked by planned layouts in Tehran, defined as environments that encourage spontaneous gatherings and meaningful connections among residents, thereby nurturing community and belonging. The research reveals a generally positive level of space conviviality, with higher social interaction linked to better conviviality. Key factors contributing to this include well-planned neighbourhoods with mixed-use zoning, walkability, and accessible public spaces, with walkability identified as the most significant factor enhancing both pedestrian movement and the neighbourhood’s vibrancy and safety. The findings emphasise the importance of a holistic approach to urban planning and urge planners and policymakers to integrate various elements that promote social interaction and conviviality to create more engaging urban spaces.

Mechanochemistry: A Resurgent Force in Chemical Synthesis

Mechanochemistry, a solvent-free approach that harnesses mechanical energy, is emerging as a transformative technique in modern chemistry. It has emerged from a niche technique to a versatile tool with broad applications. By inducing physical and chemical transformations, it enables the synthesis of complex molecules and nanostructured materials. Recent advancements have extended its applications beyond simple physical transformations to encompass catalytic processes, unlocking new possibilities for selective synthesis and product design. This account delves into the fundamentals of mechanochemistry, its applications in organic synthesis, and also beyond traditional synthetic routes, mechanochemistry offers new avenues for molecular and materials discovery, expanding the scope of accessible chemical space.

Exploring Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility in the Built Environment: A Case Study

Continuous changes in society and the need for sustainable development demand updates in designing better built environments to respond to the variety of user needs. Notwithstanding the growing interest of research and the introduction of guidelines and standards on inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility, there are still several limitations in effectively and efficiently embedding such principles for the design of buildings and neighborhoods. Previous research demonstrated the critical need for innovative tools and methods to support professionals in designing responsive, inclusive spaces for an extended range of users. This article reports the results of a pilot study using the new IDEA Audit Tool for assessing how inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility are perceived by building occupants in a specific facility. The analysis of significant data provided by this study shows the challenges and highlights the benefits of the tool, including fostering an evidence-based decision-making process, speeding up the prioritization of critical design improvements, demonstrated through a six-month trial with a London-based inclusive design firm. The research-driven outcomes showcase the huge potential that the tool offers to improve the company strategy while evolving towards more inclusive, accessible spaces that foster diversity and equity, and has the potential to be replicated in several fields of action to raise awareness and improve the application of IDEA principles in all phases of the design process.

Competition between cross-linking and force-induced local conformational changes determines the structure and mechanics of labile protein networks

Folded protein hydrogels are emerging as promising new materials for medicine and healthcare applications. Folded globular proteins can be modelled as colloids which exhibit site specific cross-linking for controlled network formation. However, folded proteins have inherent mechanical stability and unfolded in response to an applied force. It is not yet understood how colloidal network theory maps onto folded protein hydrogels and whether it models the impact of protein unfolding on network properties. To address this, we study a hybrid system which contains folded proteins (patchy colloids) and unfolded proteins (biopolymers). We use a model protein, bovine serum albumin (BSA), to explore network architecture and mechanics in folded protein hydrogels. We alter both the photo-chemical cross-linking reaction rate and the mechanical properties of the protein building block, via illumination intensity and redox removal of robust intra-protein covalent bonds, respectively. This dual approach, in conjunction with rheological and structural techniques, allows us to show that while reaction rate can ‘fine-tune’ the mechanical and structural properties of protein hydrogels, it is the force-lability of the protein which has the greatest impact on network architecture and rigidity. To understand these results, we consider a colloidal model which successfully describes the behaviour of the folded protein hydrogels but cannot account for the behaviour observed in force-labile hydrogels containing unfolded protein. Alternative models are needed which combine the properties of colloids (folded proteins) and biopolymers (unfolded proteins) in cross-linked networks. This work provides important insights into the accessible design space of folded protein hydrogels without the need for complex and costly protein engineering, aiding the development of protein-based biomaterials.

Staged surgical treatment of wounds of the extra-abdominal rectum

AIM: to improve the algorithm and results of surgical treatment of combat wounds of the rectum. PATIENTS AND METHODS: thirty-one patients with combat injuries of the rectum were included in the cohort. RESULTS: twenty-seven (87.1 %) patients were discharged in satisfactory condition, 4 (12,9 %) patients died. Sepsis developed in all four patients: in two of them sepsis was on the background of necrotising fasciitis and one had peritonitis. Endoscopic control revealed 10 wounds of the extraperitoneal part of the rectum undiagnosed at the 1st and 2nd stages of medical care. Surgical care included all four main components: diverting stoma, distal washout (mechanical cleansing of the rectum to clear water), suturing of the lesion through perineal access, drainage or tamponisation of the presacral space was done in 20 (64.5 %) patients. Endoluminal VAC therapy was used in 12 patients. In 11 of them, VAC treatment was successful with complete healing of rectal wall wounds. CONCLUSION: the four-component treatment approach is the optimal option for wounds of the extraperitoneal part of the rectum. Diverting stoma and distal bowel washout prevents severe infection. Endoluminal VAC therapy, in some cases, can be used as an alternative to presacral drainage and suturing of the rectal wall lesion.

Assessing spatial configuration of barrier-free facilities from the perspective of age-friendliness: A case Study of Beijing, China

Enhancing urban inclusivity is a crucial task for sustainable urban development. One key challenge is to create seamless and accessible urban space that caters to the mobility needs of people, especially the elderly. Addressing this pressing challenge requires a comprehensive overview of barrier-free facilities (BFFs) configuration within cities. In this study, we propose an integrated framework for assessing the BFFs in Beijing by leveraging open BFFs data and mobile phone data. The proposed framework encompasses considerations of spatial distribution, accessibility, and supply-demand patterns of BFFs. Our findings reveal the significant agglomeration and heterogeneity of BFFs in Beijing, as well as serious spatial and social inequalities. Furthermore, the supply-demand relationship of BBFs in Beijing is relatively good, with 77.8% of supply-demand balanced areas. Overall, our study provides a holistic understanding of the BFFs within Beijing, offering valuable insights for informed decision-making in inclusive city planning and development.

Increasing the safety and security of strategic railway terminals through environmental and situational aspects

ABSTRACT Rail transport is a vital sub-sector of critical infrastructure (CI) in public transportation, primarily through high-speed rail for national and international travel. Strategic railway terminals, designed for high-capacity entry/exit of people and cargo, are key elements of CI. However, they are also considered soft targets due to threats like terrorism and criminal activity. Current directives, standards, and procedures are inadequate for protecting these publicly accessible spaces, which are also critical infrastructure elements (CIE). There are no specific security standards for the technical protection of strategic railway or transport terminals. In response, a methodological procedure has been developed to enhance protection levels. This procedure is based on the CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design) concept, incorporating international standards for crime and terrorism prevention. It focuses on assessing the environmental and situational security of railway terminals and recommending additional technical measures to address gaps in protection.

Different types of greenspace within urban parks and depressive symptoms among older U.S. adults living in urban areas

Access to greenspace in the form of urban parks is frequently used to study the mental health benefits of nature and may alleviate depression. However, there is a lack of research that considers the different types of vegetated and non-vegetated spaces that parks can provide. Our aim was to investigate whether different types of accessible park area, grassy; tree covered; and non-vegetated, were associated with depressive symptoms among older (≥50 years) urban US adults. We used interviews from the Health and Retirement Study spanning 2010 through 2016 as our primary data source. We calculated total grassy, tree covered, and non-vegetated park space accessible to participants using a comprehensive national database of US parks and a high resolution (10 m) landcover dataset. To measure depressive symptoms, we used the CESD-8 analyzed as a continuous scale. We used Poisson regression to estimate the percent difference in CESD-8 scores comparing quartiles of accessible park space. To control for confounding, we adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics, geography, and climate. Aggregated accessible park area was not substantively associated with depressive symptoms. However, having grassy park area near the home was associated with as much as 27 % fewer depressive symptoms. In contrast, non-vegetated park area was associated with up to 54 % more depressive symptoms. Our findings were robust to adjustment for air pollution, environmental noise, and artificial light at night. Different types of accessible park space may have disparate effects on mental health among older urban US adults.

Ethnographic Study Found School Library is a Safe Refuge of Solitude for French Urban Middle School Students

A Review of: Joing, I. (2023). The school library: An important place for adolescents’ well-being. An ethnographic experience in a French middle school. Journal of Library Administration, 63(6), 777-796. https://doi.org/10.1080/01930826.2023.2240192 Objective – To understand the role of school libraries in middle school students’ well-being. Design – Ethnographic study consisting of overt participant observation, semi-structured interviews, and a written questionnaire. Setting – An urban middle school in northern France between November 2017 and April 2018. Subjects –Students from 10 to 15 years of age and selected school personnel. Methods – Students from three randomly selected classes were invited to complete the questionnaire, and quantifiable responses were summarized using descriptive statistics. Other materials collected during the five-month study period, including the researcher’s field journal, interview transcripts, and qualitative questionnaire responses, were analyzed using grounded theory-informed open, axial, and selective coding to discern students’ perception of the library. Main Results – The majority of the 95 students who completed the questionnaire viewed the library as a safe place associated with positive school experiences. However, these favorable impressions gradually decreased as students progressed in their studies, with senior (fourth-year) respondents reporting the lowest positive-to-negative experience ratio, at 1.1 to 1. Thematic clusters that emerged from coding of the rest of study materials further supported these findings, showing that students perceived the library to be both (a) a physical shelter from harsh winter elements during recess or lunch, and (b) a psychological refuge for solitude and peace from negative peer interactions. Nonetheless, (c) limited and unreliable library hours and (d) restrictive rules concerning noise and space access appeared to erode these positive associations over time. Senior students also expressed (e) the desire for more library or general school spaces dedicated to group work. Conclusion – Findings from this ethnographic study highlighted different ways library space contributed to students’ sense of well-being. The study also uncovered some shortcomings in space management that contributed to students’ declining library use and positive perception over the course of middle school. The researcher recommended extending library hours and expanding the diversity of library activities to ensure the space would serve as a welcoming environment not only for students seeking solitude, but also for those desiring more peer collaborations and social connections.

#フィリピンママあるある (#firipinmamaaruaru): (Re)presentations of Motherhood in Japanese-Filipino Children’s TikTok Videos

Digital media sites, such as TikTok, are promising spaces that have recently been explored as timely and accessible spaces for analyzing gender, agency, and the wider representation of mixed roots families in Japan. With Japan and the Philippines’ differences in gendered norms, there is an incongruity between the real-life experiences of Japanese Filipino children (henceforth written as JFC) vis-à-vis the gendered expectations and views on motherhood in Japan. This gap is explored through a sample of ten comedic TikTok videos where young JFC users (re)present their Filipino mothers’ identities via the hashtag #firipinmamaaruaru. Using a digital content analysis of their videos, this paper examines JFC’s experiences and perceptions of their Filipino mothers. The analysis shows how Filipino mothers are (re)presented in their children’s videos as bound by the gendered norms of motherhood in Japan. The humor in JFC’s posts points out the reality that their representations of their mothers are not the standard desirable qualities of motherhood as expected in Japan.

Free-energy transduction mechanisms shape the flux space of metabolic networks

The transduction of free energy in metabolic networks represents a thermodynamic mechanism by which the free energy derived from nutrients is converted to drive nonspontaneous, energy-requiring metabolic reactions. This transduction is typically observed in processes that generate energy-rich molecules such as ATP and NAD(P)H, which, in turn, power specific reactions, particularly biosynthetic reactions. This property establishes a pivotal connection between the intricate topology of metabolic networks and their ability to redirect energy for functional purposes. The present study proposes a dedicated framework aimed at exploring the relationship between free-energy dissipation, network topology, and metabolic objectives. The starting point is that, regardless of the network topology, nonequilibrium chemostatting conditions impose stringent thermodynamic constraints on the feasible flux steady states to satisfy energy and entropy balances. An analysis of randomly sampled reaction networks shows that the network topology imposes additional constraints that restrict the accessible flux solution space, depending on key structural features such as the reaction’s molecularity, reaction cycles, and conservation laws. Notably, topologies featuring multimolecular reactions that implement free-energy transduction mechanisms tend to extend the accessible flux domains, facilitating the achievement of metabolic objectives such as anabolic flux maximization or flux rerouting capacity. This approach is applied to a coarse-grained model of carbohydrate metabolism, highlighting the structural requirements for optimal biomass yield.

Towards more equitable cooling services of urban parks: Linking cooling effect, accessibility and attractiveness

Global warming and rapid urbanization have caused frequent occurrences of heat waves and urban heat island effect, presenting a significant threat to health of urban residents. Researches have indicated that cooling services provided by parks are essential in alleviating impact of heat wave events and urban heat island effect. However, previous researches on park cooling services center around cooling effect, with a lack of exploration regarding the fairness of such services. To fill this gap, this study quantifies the level of equity in cooling services in 18 parks in the core area of Hangzhou. Through this study, we hope to clarify the current situation of fairness of cooling services in urban parks and provide fairer park cooling services through scientific and reasonable park layouts. This will alleviate the threat of rapid urbanization and climate change to urban residents, and make the urban environment develop in a more livable direction. We assessed the cooling effect using remote sensing and the ArcGIS platform to screen parks with cooling effect and to quantify their cooling service efficiency. We utilized spatial network analysis to quantify the accessibility and origin-destination matrix data to quantify the attractiveness to reflect the level of park cooling services. The results reveal that 18 parks exhibit a noticeable cooling effect, albeit with variations observed among parks. The percentage of urban parks with low accessibility is 77.80%, indicating that the distribution of accessible space presents an uneven status quo. In addition, 72.20% of parks have low attractiveness of cooling services, indicating that some parks have insufficient attractiveness of cooling services. Based on each indicator of cooling services, we categorize urban parks into four types based on supply and demand, and propose adaptive planning measures and intervention strategies to provide a reference for equitable distribution of cooling services in urban parks.

An Assessment of Australian Launch Capabilities and the Need for Sovereign Space Access

An Assessment of Australian Launch Capabilities and the Need for Sovereign Space Access

Tandem mass spectral metabolic profiling of 54 actinobacterial strains and their 459 mutants

Natural products encompass a diverse range of compounds with high impact applications in consumer care, agriculture and most notably, therapeutics. However, despite the expansive chemical repertoire indicated in genomic information of microbes, only a small subset can be obtained under laboratory conditions. To increase accessible chemical space and realize Nature’s full chemical potential, a multi-pronged genetic- and cultivation-based strategy has been employed to activate and upregulate natural product biosyntheses in native and heterologous strains. This data descriptor documents a characterized collection of 2,138 liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS-MS) spectra of fermentation extracts from 54 native actinobacterial strains collected from soil and marine environments in Singapore, and their 459 activated mutants in 3 to 5 media. A total of 743 unique metabolites have been identified, with the activated mutants demonstrating an approximately 2-fold expansion in accessible chemical space over wild type strains. Interrogating this expanded chemical diversity with cheminformatic tools can provide direction for the discovery of novel natural products with desirable functional activity.